Lockheed Martin [LMT] completed the first F-22 Raptor at its Inlet Coating Repair (ICR) Speedline facility and delivered it back to the U.S. Air Force ahead of schedule, the company said Wednesday.
The Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin to establish the Speedline in Marietta, Ga., in August 2016 to perform periodic maintenance on a total of 12 aircraft, with a follow-on contract anticipated, the company said.
Periodic ICR maintenance of the F-22 is required to maintain the special exterior coatings that contribute to the jet’s Very Low Observable (VLO) radar cross-section. As deployments of F-22s increase, there is an increasing demand for ICR.
“The inlet coatings work, coupled with future improved Low Observable materials and repair improvements, is a critical part of increasing the 325th Fighter Wing’s repair capacity and combat readiness,” Lt. Col. Argie Moore, deputy commander of the 325th Maintenance Group, said in a statement.
This first F-22 arrived at the Speedline facility in early November 2016, the second in early December 2016, and the third in late January. Lockheed Martin is also providing modification support services, analytical condition inspections, radar cross section turntable support, and antenna calibration.
The company provides sustainment services to the F-22 fleet in general through the Air Force-awarded Performance Based Logistics contract and the Follow-on Agile Sustainment for the Raptor, a comprehensive weapons management program.
Lockheed Martin is the original equipment manufacturer and support integrator for the F-22.